Middle East Conflict – Government Informationhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu
Links and annotations for national, state, and local government publicationsTue, 26 Sep 2017 12:02:53 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.3Returning Foreign Fighters and the Reintegration Imperativehttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2017/03/24/returning-foreign-fighters-reintegration-imperative/
Fri, 24 Mar 2017 14:04:37 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=59722https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2017-03/sr402-returning-foreign-fighters-and-the-reintegration-imperative.pdf Examines European exit programs for members of violent groups and criminal gangs, and first-generation deradicalization programs in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. From the United States Institute of Peace

Examines European exit programs for members of violent groups and criminal gangs, and first-generation deradicalization programs in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. From the United States Institute of Peace

]]>Report on UNCTAD Assistance to the Palestinian People: Developments in the Economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territoryhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2016/09/08/report-on-unctad-assistance-to-the-palestinian-people-developments-in-the-economy-of-the-occupied-palestinian-territory/
Thu, 08 Sep 2016 18:17:15 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=57216http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/app2016d1_en.pdf Describes bleak economic conditions in the Palestinian territories despite efforts to provide aid through the United Nations. From the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

]]>The Occupied Palestinian Territories: Recent Developmentshttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2016/08/25/the-occupied-palestinian-territories-recent-developments/
Thu, 25 Aug 2016 18:52:09 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=56982http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7689/CBP-7689.pdf Includes sections on the historical background, the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, the Israeli military occupation of Gaza, and the status of the territories. House of Commons Library Briefing Paper Number CBP 7689

Includes sections on the historical background, the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, the Israeli military occupation of Gaza, and the status of the territories. House of Commons Library Briefing Paper Number CBP 7689

]]>Israel and the Palestinians: No Through Road?http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2016/07/22/israel-and-the-palestinians-no-through-road/
Fri, 22 Jul 2016 17:50:37 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=56640http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP15-18/RP15-18.pdf Reviews the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the proposed two-state solution, the differing views of Fatah and Hamas, the failure of talks in April 2014, and the current situation. House of Commons Briefing Paper RP 15-18

Reviews the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the proposed two-state solution, the differing views of Fatah and Hamas, the failure of talks in April 2014, and the current situation. House of Commons Briefing Paper RP 15-18

]]>Coalition Contributions to Countering the Islamic Statehttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2016/04/15/coalition-contributions-to-countering-the-islamic-state/
Fri, 15 Apr 2016 13:44:13 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=55208http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R44135.pdf Reviews the background of the coalition formation and the current 66 participants who are united in trying to degrade and ultimately defeat the Islamic State. Also covers the legal basis and military aspects of the coalition. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reviews the background of the coalition formation and the current 66 participants who are united in trying to degrade and ultimately defeat the Islamic State. Also covers the legal basis and military aspects of the coalition. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]>Atrocities Prevention Reporthttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2016/03/18/atrocities-prevention-report/
Fri, 18 Mar 2016 17:53:22 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=54760http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/254807.htm Describes targeting of and attacks against civilians, including members of religious and ethnic groups, in the Middle East and Burma. Includes specific discussion of actions in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Burma, and U.S. government responses. From the State Department

Describes targeting of and attacks against civilians, including members of religious and ethnic groups, in the Middle East and Burma. Includes specific discussion of actions in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Burma, and U.S. government responses. From the State Department

]]>Next Operational Steps in EU-Turkey Cooperation in the Field of Migrationhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2016/03/18/next-operational-steps-in-eu-turkey-cooperation-in-the-field-of-migration/
Fri, 18 Mar 2016 17:51:38 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=54756http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/proposal-implementation-package/docs/20160316/next_operational_ste Describes steps to be taken by the European Union and Turkey to stem the flow of refugees from the Middle East to Europe. Proposes six principles for promoting EU-Turkey cooperation in dealing with refugees. From the European Commission

Describes steps to be taken by the European Union and Turkey to stem the flow of refugees from the Middle East to Europe. Proposes six principles for promoting EU-Turkey cooperation in dealing with refugees. From the European Commission

]]>Islamic State and U.S. Policyhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/12/14/islamic-state-and-u-s-policy/
Mon, 14 Dec 2015 19:58:25 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=53778http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R43612.pdf Provides background on the Islamic State organization, discussing its goals, operations, and affiliates, as well as U.S. legislative and policy debates. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides background on the Islamic State organization, discussing its goals, operations, and affiliates, as well as U.S. legislative and policy debates. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]>Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969-1976, Volume XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/08/28/foreign-relations-of-the-united-states-1969-1976-volume-xxiii-arab-israeli-dispute-1969-1972/
Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:45:56 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=52672http://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v23 Focuses on the efforts of the Nixon Administration to broker an Egyptian-Israeli peace settlement but covers other aspects of U.S. relations with Middle Eastern countries. From the State Department

]]>Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977-1980, Volume XVIII, Middle East Region; Arabian Peninsulahttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/08/28/foreign-relations-of-the-united-states-1977-1980-volume-xviii-middle-east-region-arabian-peninsula/
Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:44:50 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=52668http://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1977-80v18 Documents the Carter Administration’s approach to the Middle East region at the end of the 1970s. From the State Department

]]>The Sea Route to Europe: The Mediterranean Passage in the Age of Refugeeshttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/07/02/the-sea-route-to-europe-the-mediterranean-passage-in-the-age-of-refugees/
Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:41:47 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=52046http://www.unhcr.org/5592bd059.html Tables, charts, and narrative which describe the number of refugees arriving in the first 6 months of 2015, the reasons for their refugee status, the shift in the primary routes used by refugees, and the struggle of European countries to cope with the refugee tide. From the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Tables, charts, and narrative which describe the number of refugees arriving in the first 6 months of 2015, the reasons for their refugee status, the shift in the primary routes used by refugees, and the struggle of European countries to cope with the refugee tide. From the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

]]>The United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflicthttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/06/24/the-united-nations-independent-commission-of-inquiry-on-the-2014-gaza-conflict/
Wed, 24 Jun 2015 18:08:44 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=51872http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/CoIGazaConflict/Pages/ReportCoIGaza.aspx Suggests that possible war crimes were committed by both Palestinian and Israeli armed groups during the 51 day conflict. Includes both the report and detailed findings of the Commission. From the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Suggests that possible war crimes were committed by both Palestinian and Israeli armed groups during the 51 day conflict. Includes both the report and detailed findings of the Commission. From the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

]]>Iran’s Foreign Policyhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/05/13/irans-foreign-policy/
Wed, 13 May 2015 18:09:08 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=51078http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R44017.pdf Analyzes the motives and objectives behind Iran’s foreign policy including ideology, threat perceptions, national interests, and connections with terrorist groups. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Analyzes the motives and objectives behind Iran’s foreign policy including ideology, threat perceptions, national interests, and connections with terrorist groups. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]>European Fighters in Syria and Iraq: Assessments, Responses, and Issues for the United Stateshttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/05/07/european-fighters-in-syria-and-iraq-assessments-responses-and-issues-for-the-united-states/
Thu, 07 May 2015 16:14:20 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=50976http://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R44003.pdf Discusses the concerns about U.S. and European citizens who join terrorist fighting groups in the Middle East, the magnitude of the problem, and what European governments, in cooperation with the U.S., are doing to enhance national security. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the concerns about U.S. and European citizens who join terrorist fighting groups in the Middle East, the magnitude of the problem, and what European governments, in cooperation with the U.S., are doing to enhance national security. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]>2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Applicationhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/04/17/2001-authorization-for-use-of-military-force-issues-concerning-its-continued-application/
Fri, 17 Apr 2015 18:30:14 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=50724http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R43983.pdf Assesses the legality and efficacy of continuing to use the 2001 AUMF as the basis for military counterterrorism operations in the Middle East and arguments to maintain, repeal, or amend the AUMF. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Assesses the legality and efficacy of continuing to use the 2001 AUMF as the basis for military counterterrorism operations in the Middle East and arguments to maintain, repeal, or amend the AUMF. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]>Islamic State Financing and U.S. Policy Approacheshttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/04/17/islamic-state-financing-and-u-s-policy-approaches/
Fri, 17 Apr 2015 18:28:58 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=50720http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/R43980.pdf Discusses the sources of funding for the Islamic State and how targeting their funding could degrade the organization. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the sources of funding for the Islamic State and how targeting their funding could degrade the organization. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]>Yemen: Civil War and Regional Interventionhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/04/03/yemen-civil-war-and-regional-intervention/
Fri, 03 Apr 2015 12:37:43 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=50436https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R43960.pdf Reviews recent events in Yemen including the Houthi movement, the collapse of the Hadi government, the regional intervention in late March 2015, and the U.S. policy response. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reviews recent events in Yemen including the Houthi movement, the collapse of the Hadi government, the regional intervention in late March 2015, and the U.S. policy response. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]>Recent Developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs)http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/03/30/recent-developments-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territories-opts/
Mon, 30 Mar 2015 19:11:41 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=50350http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/RP15-18.pdf Reviews developments over recent months including the breakdown of U.S-brokered peace talks, the Hamas-Israel conflict of 2014, the current status of the Palestinian territories, and the 2014 ceasefire agreement which calls for indirect talks between Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel. House of Commons Library Research Paper 15/18

Reviews developments over recent months including the breakdown of U.S-brokered peace talks, the Hamas-Israel conflict of 2014, the current status of the Palestinian territories, and the 2014 ceasefire agreement which calls for indirect talks between Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel. House of Commons Library Research Paper 15/18

]]>ISIS and the Sectarian Conflict in the Middle Easthttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/03/19/isis-and-the-sectarian-conflict-in-the-middle-east/
Thu, 19 Mar 2015 20:15:01 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=50114http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/rp15-16.pdf Describes the origins of ISIS in the U.S. invasion of Sunni-occupied Iraqi territory, its divergence from Al-Qaeda, their conquests in Syria and Iraq, and the political/military reaction against ISIS. House of Commons Library Research Paper 15/16

Describes the origins of ISIS in the U.S. invasion of Sunni-occupied Iraqi territory, its divergence from Al-Qaeda, their conquests in Syria and Iraq, and the political/military reaction against ISIS. House of Commons Library Research Paper 15/16

]]>Remarks by the President on Request to Congress for Authorization of Force Against ISILhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/02/12/remarks-by-the-president-on-request-to-congress-for-authorization-of-force-against-isil/
Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:15:11 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=49386http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/02/11/remarks-president-request-congress-authorization-force-against-isil Explanation of the president for the decision to seek from Congress an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against the Islamic State. From the White House

]]>Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levanthttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2015/02/12/authorization-for-the-use-of-military-force-against-the-islamic-state-of-iraq-and-the-levant/
Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:13:39 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=49382http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/aumf_02112015.pdf Text of the draft resolution sent by President Obama to the Congress. From the White House

]]>Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977-1980, Volume IX, Arab-Israeli Dispute, August 1978 – December 1980http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2014/12/18/foreign-relations-of-the-united-states-1977-1980-volume-ix-arab-israeli-dispute-august-1978-december-1980/
Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:26:22 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=48328http://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1977-80v09 The second of two volumes that document U.S. efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement to the Arab-Israeli dispute during the Carter Administration. Covers the Camp David meetings between representatives of Egypt and Israel and the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty concluded in March 1979. From the State Department

The second of two volumes that document U.S. efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement to the Arab-Israeli dispute during the Carter Administration. Covers the Camp David meetings between representatives of Egypt and Israel and the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty concluded in March 1979. From the State Department

]]>Al Qaeda-Affiliated Groups: Middle East and Africahttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2014/10/15/al-qaeda-affiliated-groups-middle-east-and-africa/
Wed, 15 Oct 2014 19:41:56 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=46998http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R43756.pdf Discusses the U.S. counterterrorism policy toward groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and whether changes are needed in the federal statutes that undergird these policies. Also discusses the Islamic State and Boko Haram. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the U.S. counterterrorism policy toward groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and whether changes are needed in the federal statutes that undergird these policies. Also discusses the Islamic State and Boko Haram. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]>Israel Crosses the Threshold II: The Nixon Administration Debates the Emergence of the Israeli Nuclear Programhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2014/09/12/israel-crosses-the-threshold-ii-the-nixon-administration-debates-the-emergence-of-the-israeli-nuclear-program/
Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:24:34 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=46262http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nukevault/ebb485/ A collection of ten recently declassified documents on the behind the scenes debate in the Nixon Administration on whether to dissuade Israel from acquiring nuclear weapons. From the National Security Archive

A collection of ten recently declassified documents on the behind the scenes debate in the Nixon Administration on whether to dissuade Israel from acquiring nuclear weapons. From the National Security Archive

]]>Membership in the United Nations and Its Specialized Agencieshttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2014/06/26/membership-in-the-united-nations-and-its-specialized-agencies/
Thu, 26 Jun 2014 14:44:52 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=44732http://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R43614.pdf Covers the path and procedure to UN membership, membership in specialized agencies, the question of membership for Palestine, and U.S. political issues relating to UN membership questions. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Covers the path and procedure to UN membership, membership in specialized agencies, the question of membership for Palestine, and U.S. political issues relating to UN membership questions. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

]]>Dispute Resolution and Justice Provision in Yemen’s Transitionhttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2014/04/28/dispute-resolution-and-justice-provision-in-yemens-transition/
Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:53:28 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=43428http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR345_Dispute-Resolution-and-Justice-Provision-in-Yemen%E2%80%99s-Transition.pdf Explores the challenges and obstacles to alternative methods of dispute resolution in Yemen since the Arab Spring protests and the weakening of tribal authority. From the United States Institute of Peace

Explores the challenges and obstacles to alternative methods of dispute resolution in Yemen since the Arab Spring protests and the weakening of tribal authority. From the United States Institute of Peace

]]>Living Under Siege: The Syrian Arab Republichttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2014/02/21/living-under-siege-the-syrian-arab-republic/
Fri, 21 Feb 2014 15:13:11 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=41746http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/SY/LivingUnderSiege.pdf The first in a series of planned reports by the United Nations on violations of international human rights in the Syrian conflict. This report focuses on the suffering of civilians in cities placed under siege by the Syrian government and its allies and condemns starvation as a method of warfare. From the Office of […]

The first in a series of planned reports by the United Nations on violations of international human rights in the Syrian conflict. This report focuses on the suffering of civilians in cities placed under siege by the Syrian government and its allies and condemns starvation as a method of warfare. From the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

]]>Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Responsehttp://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2014/01/16/armed-conflict-in-syria-overview-and-u-s-response/
Thu, 16 Jan 2014 21:03:35 +0000http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=40776http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33487.pdf Provides an overview of the expanding crisis in Syria, the opposing forces and their internal conflicts, the efforts to remove chemical weapons from the conflict, and the bleak prospects for significant U.S. engagement to promote regional security or humanitarian assistance. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides an overview of the expanding crisis in Syria, the opposing forces and their internal conflicts, the efforts to remove chemical weapons from the conflict, and the bleak prospects for significant U.S. engagement to promote regional security or humanitarian assistance. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists